Friday, January 25, 2013

A Hummingbird Story (part II)

I've had hummingbirds around me ever since. It has been a source of comfort for me seeing these fragile yet strong beings.

For the past 6 weeks or so I noticed the absence of hummingbirds. I couldn't figure out what happened. I always look for them and usually hear and see them so this absence was puzzling. I missed their presence.

They are amazing creatures with rich symbolism.

Anyway, I became increasingly concerned that I wasn't seeing one. I have some major decisions to make and was looking for a sign.

I was standing in my kitchen one day and heard a hummingbird.

She was sitting on a branch of a tree just outside the window. She was hidden so I had to look for her. I grew concerned because not only was it a poisonous tree but there was a bunch of mold all over the ground along with standing water that had been there for weeks. She would appear at that spot for a few days.

What I didn't know was she was pregnant and searching for a place to build her nest! Last weekend I took the trash out. I paused near a tree and felt and heard the whir of a hummingbird flying past me. Something about her behavior clued me in that there might be a nest near.

And there was! Here she is feeding her babies and then sitting on the nest to warm them.

Every day I would go outside just once to see make sure she and her babies were okay. Each time I would go look she'd sit silently nearby on a branch watching. I felt like I was being let in on this wonderful miracle of nature. I would pray all throughout the day that they would make it.

Today I went outside to check on the nest and found it turned sideways. There were no birds. I was heartbroken. I didn't know if the wind did it or maybe they hatched and flew away. I kept going back searching for some clue that they survived but found none.

I don't know what happened to the baby hummingbirds but I choose to believe they survived.

This afternoon I went outside and heard a hummingbird so I looked up and there was a little hummingbird flying sort of sideways. He/she was either sick or it was a new hummingbird still unsure of his/her wings.

4 comments:

I'm glad I have found your blog, I have just been diagnosed with M.E/CFS and Im sure through reading your experiences I can learn a lot. Thank you for sharing your stories. Have a look at my blog too if you like. Take care and keep us posted on the hummingbirds if you see any more!Hayley-Eszti x

You have such a lovely style of writing, so touching. And fab photos! I have read a few of your blog posts before and found them comforting. I have set up a website for people with ME / chronic fatigue syndrome. It's a site where people can share recipes, hobbies, book clubs etc. I was wondering if you would have a look and if you liked it would you share it?

Jeff, I also have a special relationship with hummingbirds- when I see one in my backyard they remind me of my deceased mom. They are awesome. And I had a similar experience last year with a nest of house wrens who made a nest in my fern on the front porch. One set of babies made it, the the next batch disappeared overnight (probably taken by a hawk, owl or squirrel). It broke my heart. BTW, I was diagnosed with CFS in 1984 and am working as a life and wellness coach for those with the CFS/fibro/Lyme diagnosis. Here is my website: http://www.lifestylesbyjane.com/

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I first became ill in July of 2007. Or at least that's when I started having symptoms that I couldn’t explain away with being too busy, too stressed, not eating enough, not getting enough rest, etc.
In August I passed out while eating in a restaurant. In September I remember climbing some stairs while visiting a museum in SF and feeling a sense of profound fatigue. As I climbed the stairs I thought to myself "it's as if my cells aren't getting enough oxygen"and for a minute worried I might have some sort of leukemia. During lunch I literally had to put my head down to sleep.
By the end of December of 2007 I was housebound due to dizziness, fatigue, cognitive impairment and a myriad of other symptoms.
I'd completed my dissertation in 2006 and awarded my PhD in Jan 07. I'd always been active, athletic, driven.
Imagine my surprise when this all happened. It's been a life changer.
This illness is not for the faint of heart. 20% of people with cfids commit suicide. It's a fact. The illness is that devastating. I used to believe that cancer was the worst thing one could have. I no longer believe that.
Luckily I plan on getting as well as I can with the right help